The Harford County Sheriff's Office launched its helicopter unit Thursday morning for the first time.

The new aviation unit will fly daytime missions until pilots become certified to fly at night. Aviation Unit Lt. Lee Dunbar said both pilots have extensive flying experience, and they have been training with the Baltimore County Police Department's aviation unit.

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The aviation unit will be based at the Forest Hill Air Park and will fly numerous missions that include searches for fugitives, drug enforcement, surveillance, traffic, missing persons and stranded boaters.

The helicopter is outfitted with technology that includes a high-resolution camera system.